RGMN

Campagnolo released a new Ekar GT groupset. More aluminum, less CF, and lower cost.

mstateglfr 

13ollocks

I think this is a step in the right direction, even if I remain puzzled as to Campag’s long-term plans. Although I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Campag user for the road, if I were putting together a gravel/touring bike, I’d probably opt for Shimano, simply because I’m more likely to find parts in a hurry if I break something. Campag, alas, is a niche product now

AndyJoK

Ekar has been the only group I’ve yet to try, not sure whether this new release makes it more or less appealing but the Zondas sure look good!

DangerousDanR

I have two Ekar equipped bicycles, and I have found it to be excellent. One road, one gravel. I am aware that some people say they are a bit fiddley, but what I have found is that if they are setup according to the instructions Campagnolo publishes they are quite trouble free.

Yes, they can make a clack when you shift under power. They shift precisely, and you can down shift multiple gears in one swipe. I can work them with mittens on, but if they are coated in ice from freezing rain they will jam. The brakes are excellent.

I wish they had a crank that worked with 73 mm bottom bracket spacing, but you can't have everything. And if they would make an electronic version at a reasonable premium over the mechanical group, like maybe a $500 above the mechanical, I would probably put that on my next bike.

I also don't see much call for the alloy version unless it was quite a bit less expensive. You can get a carbon Ekar for about $1,000 US. Can I get the aluminum version for $600?

DorkDisk

Margin should be better with Al bits

PeteHski

Price is obviously going to be a major point here. Interestingly it has an even wider range cassette option than Ekar and a smaller chainring option. It’s about 300g heavier, but potentially could be more durable. Seems like a reasonable option to me for those on a tighter budget or even just looking for lower gearing.

DangerousDanR

I wonder if this is aimed at the OEM market? Probably that is the case.

I have been looking at getting a new gravel bike to replace the drop bar MTB I currently have. I have focused on a couple of bikes that come with Ekar. Neither is low enough in price that I am wanting to spring for it.

A $200 price cut to a bike manufacturer might translate into a $600 price cut at the retail level.

veganbikes

I think it is pretty neat. I know Campy doesn't always make the right choices and do what will be most practical but they make fun interesting stuff and sometimes have a bit of innovation thrown in or at least some good looks.

RGMN

I'm looking at building up a 1x road bike and had been looking at Ekar before they announced Ekar GT. Carbon Ekar for $1k would be great, but this frame sort of calls out for aluminum. I have Chorus on 2 other bikes, and a Chorus/Record mix on a third. I'd probably miss the upshift klunk if Ekar didn't do it too.

Lamont Cobb

I've never owned a Campy part or even seen one in person. I don't think I'm alone.....

mpetry912 

send address, I'll send you a shifter wing nut or something so you're officially in the club.

Probably the last Campagnolo component I will buy. "officially sanctioned merchandise".

/markp

chaadster

No, I’m sure you’re not, and it’s important to remember that the same thing could have been said by someone 15 years ago. It has probably been more than 20 years, I think, since Campagnolo has had a regular, or common, presence in the typical, American bike shop.

From that perspective, maybe Campagnolo have already carved out their niche and are settled into it, rather than being on the edge of slipping out of the mainstream, and Ekar GT, rather than it representing clawing at diminishing market share, represents Campagnolo growing out into new market segments.

smd4

My bike has Campy dropouts—the only Campy parts on my bike. The only Campy parts I’ve ever owned or likely ever will.

rosefarts

The thumb shifter on the Ergo makes it vastly superior to the other brands um ergonomically. I futzed around with lots of things on my gravel bike before heading back to Campy.

I happen to like the clunk. It’s positive.

I do run a Sram Force crank with a Rotor 13speed chainring. Works perfectly.

Camilo

I like that design much better than Shimano's system, but I prefer both Sram "double tap" and the current design of Microshift over anything else. Not that I'd refuse to use any one of them, just think both the Sram and Microshift - and also Campagnolo - are better designs than Shimano.

DangerousDanR

I can't think of a harder to use design for an integrated brake and shifter than what Shimano has done. My guess is that it would be completely unworkable when wearing mittens. The Ekar is easy to use with mittens on.

MattoftheRocks

I see no polished or at least bare aluminum. It’s worth $50 to me.

I see 4 arm crank with blind drilled holes looking like it’s related to that old Nexus crank. It is worth $10 to me.

It all looks like OEM for $600 hybrid bikes. Do they make a “shock absorber fork” to match? Gel seat from Cinelli?

what has the world come to when companies started in the 2000s have products that’re more appealing than the new new from Campagnolo?

prj71

Ditto.

I just read about them on the internet and how they have shiny 50th anniversary parts.

smd4

Guess they one-upped Shimano in that department.

PeteHski

What has the world come to when people moan about the colour of a bicycle groupset? Looks fine to me. Clean, modern, understated design.

smd4

I looked at the road groups on that site. All the new Campy components are stunningly ugly, and it's not just about color--but that's a big part of it.

PeteHski

Noted, but it still looks fine to me.

MattoftheRocks

“

Pacific Bicycles Manufactured Walmart bike

Clean, modern, understated design.”

I think we’ll have to agree to disagree.

PeteHski

You appear to be getting confused between colour and quality. Those cheapo bikes are just copying the colours of expensive drivertrains. Back when shiny was fashionable, cheap bikes also had shiny bits.

Edit: oh I see you cherry picked some older bikes to prove your point.